Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve

📘 Park Overview

Craters of the Moon is a vast ocean of lava flows with scattered islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. We invite you to explore this "weird and scenic landscape" where yesterday's volcanic events are likely to continue tomorrow.

🌤 Weather Information

Weather at Craters of the Moon is characterized by hot summers and cold winters. In February, average snow depth ranges from 26 inches at the north end of the monument to just 2 inches at the south end. Intense summer sun bakes the black lava, generating surface temperatures of 170°F and air temperatures in the 90s. Drying winds are a daily occurrence, especially in the afternoon, and may reach 15 to 30 miles per hour.

🚗 Directions

Visitor Center and Loop Drive are located 18 miles southwest of Arco, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 24 miles northeast of Carey, Idaho on U.S. Highway 20/26/93, 84 miles from Idaho Falls, and 90 miles from Twin Falls. Physical address is 1266 Craters Loop Road(Lat/Long: 43° 27.711'N/113° 33.7) Access to the main visitor use area is via a paved highway. Unpaved roads provide additional access to the BLM monument and NPS Preserve but should only be utilized by four wheel drive and high clearance vehicles.

Images

A close-up shot of a folded, waving sea of lava rock, with mountains in the far distance.

Craters of the Moon features the largest young lava field in the lower 48 states, encompassing the entire Great Rift volcanic zone.

Credit: NPS / David Hunter

Small purple flowers and larger white flowers with reddish stems grow out of black volcanic rock

Spectacular floral displays occur at Craters each spring, including this dwarf monkeyflower and bitterroot.

Credit: NPS / David Hunter

The Craters entrance sign sits below a starry night sky, with the milky way brightly-lit.

Craters of the Moon was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, making it one of the best places in the country to stargaze.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A figure stands inside a large lava tube on a pile of rubble, lit by a round opening overhead.

Many visitors come to Craters to explore its unique and fragile lava tubes.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A paved trail winds up around the side of a spatter cone.

Trails at Craters, like the Spatter Cone Trail, allow visitors to explore young volcanic features like spatter cones, cinder cones, and lava fields.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

A panoramic view across the Craters landscape, bisected by a winding road.

Craters of the Moon features unexpectedly stunning views, such as this panoramic vista from the top of Inferno Cone.

Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Activities

Snowshoeing
Scenic Driving
Wildlife Watching
Park Film
Astronomy
Shopping
Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Bookstore and Park Store
Backcountry Camping
Birdwatching
Auto and ATV
Backcountry Hiking
Biking
Road Biking
Camping
Caving
Hiking
Museum Exhibits
Stargazing
Junior Ranger Program
Cross-Country Skiing
Skiing

Topics

Fire
Animals
Forests and Woodlands
Rock Landscapes and Features
Climate Change
Trails
Migrations
Unique Species
Volcanoes
Birds
Native American Heritage
Night Sky
Wilderness
Westward Expansion
Caves, Caverns and Karst
Geology

Operating Hours

Sunday

All Day

Monday

All Day

Tuesday

All Day

Wednesday

All Day

Thursday

All Day

Friday

All Day

Saturday

All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

This per-vehicle fee applies to private, non-commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. The fee covers the driver and any passengers.

$20.00

Entrance - Motorcycle

This motorcycle fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

$15.00

Commercial Entrance - Sedan

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

$25.00

Entrance - Per Person

This per-person fee provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days. Youth age 15 and under are free.

$10.00

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Classes or groups from accredited academic institutions may apply for a fee waiver ahead of their visit by contacting the park. Academic fee waivers are not granted automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the two criteria to receive a fee waiver: 1) eligibility and 2) educational purpose and relevance of park resources or facilities. Groups that choose to not make a reservation or apply for an academic fee waiver will be charged the standard entrance fee per vehicle.

$0.00

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

$100.00

Commercial Entrance - Van

This per-vehicle fee applies to commercial vehicles and provides entrance into the park for seven consecutive days.

$40.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

Annual entrance pass for Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve only. Valid for one year through the month of purchase. This pass can be purchased at the park entrance station.

$35.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Saturday, Apr 18

Sunny

High: 49.9°F | Low: 28°F

Humidity: 38%

Wind: 9.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 6.6

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 08:20 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 26.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Apr 19

Sunny

High: 59.4°F | Low: 32.9°F

Humidity: 29%

Wind: 5.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7.3

Sunrise: 06:43 AM

Sunset: 08:21 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 32.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Monday, Apr 20

Sunny

High: 68.4°F | Low: 42.8°F

Humidity: 24%

Wind: 11.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (9%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 40.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A